Athy Town Streetscape Enhancement Scheme 2022/23 – Grant Application

Deadline for applications: June 30, 2023.

Kildare County Council has secured funding of €100,000 from the Department of Rural & Community Development through the 2022 Streetscape Enhancement Scheme for Athy town. This Measure will support project proposals which may include activity such as painting (including murals), signage replacement, shopfront improvement, lighting, and canopies.

Eligible buildings include commercial, residential, or unoccupied premises located within Athy town.

Purpose

Our Rural Future is the Government’s five-year strategy to revitalize rural Ireland and includes a commitment to upgrade and enhance shopfronts and street facades in our rural towns and villages.

The aim of the scheme is to enhance the streetscape environment by encouraging and supporting owners of premises to improve their building facades. It is intended that the scheme will result in a more attractive environment that residents, visitors, shoppers, and businesses can enjoy. It is envisaged that this scheme will assist in promoting Athy as an attractive place for social and business interaction thereby increasing the vitality and viability of the town, with positive benefits for all.

Grant Relief and Payment

Grant funding will be provided at 80% of total project costs – matched funding of 20% is required. Please see appendix 1 for maximum allocations available for various project types.

Guidelines and Criteria

• Works must be completed and fully drawn down by 31st of August 2023
• Maximum level of support to any individual building is €8,000
• Grant funding will be provided at 80% of total project costs – matched funding of 20% is required
• Applicants who do not own the premises will be required to show proof of permission from the owner
• Retrospective applications for works already undertaken will not be accepted
• The funding cannot be used to replace existing schemes or existing financial commitments already approved by the Local Authority
• The following procurement rules apply, as a minimum, to the individual projects funded

What type of projects are supported?

• Commercial, residential or unoccupied buildings in an area defined by Kildare County Council and within selected Athy town centre locations.
• Commissioning of murals in Athy.
• Upgrade or restoration of shopfronts
• Provision of street planting, shrubbery, trees and flowers boxes.
• Illumination and lighting of architectural features.
• Installation of canopies and street furniture.
• Decluttering of shopfronts with removal of unnecessary signs / wires.

Eligible works Include:

• Works to individual properties (must be a minimum of 3 adjacent properties)
• Works to standalone buildings are permitted in the case of derelict or vacant properties
• Murals / Public artworks
• See appendix 1 for list of eligible works and maximum grant allocations awarded.

 2 x Contractor quotations for projects under €5,000

 1 x Materials quotation

 (Note: Seek 3 written quotations for contracts above €5,000 as per National Procurement Guidelines).

Appendix 1: Eligible Works & Maximum Allocations